Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Alien Worlds

Astronomers have found more than 4,000 planets circling stars other than our own. What do we know about these alien worlds and how have we managed to detect them?

It is not just our sun that is circled by planets. In recent years, astronomers have found over 4,000 planets circling stars other than our own. The Sky at Night team investigates what we know about these alien worlds and looks at how we have managed to detect them.

Professor Chris Lintott visits the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh to see a cutting-edge camera designed to take pictures of exoplanets. And Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock talks to experts about the continuing hunt for alien worlds and, even, alien moons.

Meanwhile, Pete Lawrence sticks to hunting for planets in our own backyard, looking for Neptune and explaining what is meant when a planet is said to be in opposition.

29 minutes

Last on

Thu 12 Sep 2019 19:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four

More episodes

Previous

Space Mission Special

Next

Question Time

See all episodes from The Sky at Night

Clips

See all clips from Alien Worlds (4)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Thomas Beecham

    At The Castle Gate From Pelleas and Melisande (The Sky At Night) (1955)

Credits

Presenter Chris Lintott
Presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Presenter Pete Lawrence
Executive Producer Steve Crabtree
Series Producer Michael Lachmann
Director Kate Szell

Broadcasts

Join our photo group

Share images, inspiration and tips with fellow photographers

Gallery